Men have been bringing their sweethearts heart-shaped boxes of chocolates for decades. Now scientists tell us it's good for our hearts beyond these expressions of romance. Women could have told them that a long time ago, because we always feel better after eating a little chocolate! For years we were told the caffeine in chocolate isn't good for you, the sugar and fat in chocolate isn't good for you, but now we're told it's a health-giving food - good for your heart and more - when eaten in moderation. So, go ahead, have that little piece of chocolate every day and reap the newly discovered benefits of this all time favorite of women.

Plus, we've all been drinking green tea lately, but did you know that Cocoa has been found to have more beneficial antioxidants than green tea (Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 2003). Cocoa was found to have the highest level of these important nutrients over green tea, black tea and red wine. Cocoa is stronger in flavonoids making it evidently a more healthy choice for the heart (although green tea is still a great choice). It is better, however, not to use hot cocoa mixes with their trans fats and high sugar contents. The best is to make your own mix, but if you choose a ready-made, use a healthy, even organic version. Just another reason to enjoy one of women's all-time favorites!

Chocolate. Hallelujah! One of the most powerful mood elevators is chocolate, according to psychologist David Benton of Britain's University of Wales. An interesting study he did involved playing music that put students in a depressed mood, then gave them chocolate or carob, a chocolate substitute. Chocolate improved their moods while the carob didn't. He reports that chocolate contains "serotonin-boosting sugar and mind-soothing fat, but also other chemicals that favorably affect brain messengers controlling mood."

Fish. Joseph R. Hibbeln at the National Institutes of Health says that if you don't eat fish, your chances of becoming depressed rise, and that depression rates drop as fish consumption rises. The Japanese eat the most fish and are the least depressed he also reports - the reason? Omega-3 fat found in fish boosts feel-good brain chemicals.

Complex carbohydrates: Whole-grains, beans and starchy vegetables, such as potatoes and corn are ‘feel good foods’. Why? According to Dr. Judith Wurtman, Ph.D., Director of the women’s health program at Massachusetts Institute of Technology “Carbohydrates de-stress you by increasing the production of serotonin...This key chemical in your brain improves mood, increases emotional energy and relieves pain."

‘Feel-good’ fats
A low-fat diet may make you grumpy according to author, Jean Carper.

Also see common sense for your kid's moods here.